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The Great British Adventure Club
The Great British Adventure Club
Home
Camping
Hiking
Trail Running
About
Reader feedback
Home
Camping
Hiking
Trail Running
About
Reader feedback
Nortent Gamme 4 review: Solid-as-a-rock protection for the roughest winter adventures
GBAC 21/02/2024 GBAC 21/02/2024

Nortent Gamme 4 review: Solid-as-a-rock protection for the roughest winter adventures

The closest thing we’ve ever come across to a portable brick building for camping in the worst conditions imaginable

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The Nortent Vern 1 PC tent review: A tank of a single-skin shelter that comes with a ton of tricks up its sleeve
GBAC 02/01/2024 GBAC 02/01/2024

The Nortent Vern 1 PC tent review: A tank of a single-skin shelter that comes with a ton of tricks up its sleeve

An innovative polycotton backpacking tent built for the worst conditions imaginable

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The Nortent Vern 1 versus the Vern 2
GBAC 05/12/2023 GBAC 05/12/2023

The Nortent Vern 1 versus the Vern 2

Which is the best Vern for you?

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Nortent Vern 2 review: A 2-person palace for year-round wildcamping
GBAC 31/10/2023 GBAC 31/10/2023

Nortent Vern 2 review: A 2-person palace for year-round wildcamping

A spacious upgrade to the 1-man version for those who adventure in pairs.

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Nortent Vern 1 review: The new guy on the block that seriously packs a puch
GBAC 09/10/2023 GBAC 09/10/2023

Nortent Vern 1 review: The new guy on the block that seriously packs a puch

Is this the best 4-season tent for UK conditions? We think so.

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Why buy a four-season tent?

Unlike 2- or 3-season models, 4-season tents are purpose-built for harsh conditions — the kind of relentless weather Britain so often delivers outside of high summer. These shelters are engineered with stronger poles that resist snapping in high winds, tougher fabrics that stand up to prolonged rain and abrasion, and steeper wall angles designed to shed snow and deflect gusts rather than catching them like a sail. They’re typically fitted with more robust guy-out points and reinforced stress areas, meaning they stay put even on exposed ridgelines or soggy moorland. Inside, clever venting systems help manage condensation — a real issue in the damp, cold air of British winters — and their inner fabrics tend to be warmer and more enclosed than the mesh-heavy designs of fair-weather tents. While they’re often a little heavier and more expensive, they last longer, perform better, and provide far more peace of mind when you’re camping in unpredictable or genuinely grim conditions — making them a sound investment if you’re heading out in all seasons.

And let’s be honest — in the UK, “four-season” weather can happen in a single weekend. So whether you’re wild camping in winter, or just want peace of mind on a soggy summer trip, these tents have you covered.

Best all-round 4-season shelter

Nordisk Telemark 2.2 LW

A long-time favourite here at GBAC, the Nordisk Telemark 2 LW earns its place as the best all-round 4-season tent for the UK thanks to its rare mix of low weight, dependable performance, and liveable design. At just 950g, it’s lighter than most shelters in its class — yet offers genuine protection in rough British conditions.

We’ve used it in sleet, sideways rain and heavy winds, and it’s never flinched. The tunnel design sheds gusts well, the fly and inner pitch as one (a big plus in the UK), and ventilation is cleverly handled through a zip-down rear panel. Inside, it’s snug but well-shaped, and the single-pole structure keeps things intuitive.

It’s not built for full alpine use, but for British hikers and bikepackers looking for a year-round tent that doesn’t weigh them down, the Telemark 2 LW is a proven, pitch-anywhere companion.

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Best 2-person 4-season shelter

Nortent Vern 2

The Nortent Vern 2 is a serious bit of kit — a lightweight, two-person, four-season tunnel tent built to handle classic British weather year-round. From exposed fellside pitches to winter woodland camps, it’s proven itself as one of the best 4 season tents for the UK if you’re travelling as a pair.

We loved the quick pitch, excellent ventilation, and bombproof tunnel structure that shrugs off wind and rain. There’s enough internal space for two campers plus kit, a large vestibule for cooking in poor weather, and Nortent’s usual premium build quality throughout. The materials feel rugged, the design smart and refined.

It’s not the lightest tent on the market, but for four-season performance in UK conditions — with the versatility for solo or duo trips — the Vern 2 is a cracking choice. A dependable, storm-ready shelter that’ll take you through all four seasons in comfort.

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Best bombproof 4-season shelter

Nortent Gamme 4

If you’re after the best 4-season tent for the UK that can laugh in the face of biblical weather, look no further than the Nortent Gamme 4. This is a seriously sturdy shelter — part tent, part fortress — built to withstand the worst the British outdoors can throw at it.

We pitched it in storm-force winds and sideways rain in Snowdonia and came away properly impressed. The tunnel dome design, 45 guy-line points, and thick aluminium poles make this thing rock solid. There’s room for four, proper standing height, and the option to fit a stove if you’re venturing out in true winter conditions.

It’s not light, but it’s not meant to be. This is the tent you take when failure isn’t an option — for basecamps, winter wild camping, and exposed, off-grid pitches. A bombproof beast that’s more than earned its spot on this list.

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Best one-person 4-season shelter

Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1

The Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is a premium solo shelter — and easily one of the best lightweight 4-season tents for the UK. At just 1.6kg and packing down to the size of a rugby ball, it’s tailor-made for wildcampers, thru-hikers and fastpackers who want serious weather protection without excess bulk.

We tested it across Dartmoor, the Lakes, and the Chilterns in wind, rain and sub-zero temperatures — and it didn’t flinch. Its tunnel design holds firm in strong gusts, while adjustable vents, a roomy vestibule, and clever internal touches make it genuinely liveable for longer trips. It’s also quick to pitch, easy to pack, and tough enough to take a beating.

At £600, it’s not cheap — but the performance, build quality and four-season versatility more than justify the price tag. If you’re after a bombproof, packable tent for solo UK adventures all year round, the Abisko Lite 1 is hard to top.

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Best 4-season bivy

Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy

For solo campers who value stealth, simplicity and absolute weatherproofing, the Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy is a standout choice — and easily one of the best 4-season tents for the UK if you’re travelling fast and light.

Tough, compact and utterly stormproof, this bivy is built to handle proper UK conditions. We’ve tested it in everything from Lake District downpours to frosty Welsh hillsides, and it’s never let us down. The eVent fabric is highly breathable, doing a solid job at keeping condensation at bay — a crucial factor in British winters.

There’s enough headroom to sit up, a stable hooped frame, and smart features like a mesh bug panel and internal gear loops. It’s not spacious, but it’s not meant to be — this is a go-anywhere, pitch-anywhere bivy that thrives when the weather’s wild and the trails are tough.

For solo missions year-round, it’s hard to beat.

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Best single skin 4-season shelter

Nortent Vern 1 PC

For solo campers seeking natural breathability, warmth, and true four-season performance, the Nortent Vern 1 PC stands out as one of the best 4 season tents for the UK. Made from a polycotton canvas blend, it delivers a completely different feel to synthetic shelters — quieter in the wind, warmer in the cold, and far better at managing condensation.

We tested it across multiple UK trips, from frosty nights to wet woodland pitches, and it felt cosy, dry, and reliably weatherproof throughout. The tunnel design gives it solid wind resistance, while the large vestibule and practical features — like snow skirts, double doors, and stove compatibility — make it ideal for year-round use.

At just under 3kg, it’s not ultralight, but if you value comfort, durability and a more natural camping experience, the Vern 1 PC is a superb solo shelter. A proper four-season refuge with real charm and serious capability.

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